SAIGON SOUTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Saigon South International School is one of the most prominent educational institutions with an excellent American-standard education approach within the past 27 years.

To stay aligned with Saigon South International School’s (SSIS) leading position, BOHO Décor aspires to make the greener and state-of-the-art campus. Therefore, SSIS aims to leverage the Vietnamese dragon image – SSIS’s logo to impart its educational direction to learners with the aspiration that “these dragons” will have the capacity to reach their full potential.

BOHO Décor’s design narrative is guided by six primary principles that echo SSIS’s motto, “Learn with passion, live with purpose.”  

In embracing the school’s multicultural community, the design integrates elements of globality while celebrating Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Flexibility emerges as a cornerstone, ensuring adaptability to evolving educational standards and technological advancements. Creativity and innovation permeate every facet of the design, fostering an environment conducive to exploration and discovery, paired with branding elements integrated into the project through the interior furnishings. Lastly, BOHO Décor ensures every material and technology selected for the project has eco-friendly credentials and longevity.

For SSIS, the desired design decision and outcome surely align with the fusion of energy efficiency and the optimal environment mixed with natural elements, cultivating a sense of harmony and sustainability.

The entryway of SSIS welcomes students with a blend of modern design and traditional elements, featuring engineered bamboo ceilings that connect to Vietnam’s natural beauty and cultural legacy. Bamboo, as an eco-friendly material, stands out amidst the subdued color scheme of white and grey, also minimizing noise within the common space. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and an open atrium allow natural light to fill the space, inviting students into an intriguing journey of learning.

The spaces along the corridors are tailored, both aesthetically and functionally. Furniture in branded colors caters to individual study and discussions, maintaining the school’s essence. Lush greenery, artwork, and motivational slogans make the space inviting and energizing. Greenery-filled balconies gracefully encircle the corridors with a gently curved silhouette, drawing inspiration from the terraced fields of Sapa. Thus, this pattern exudes an exclusive Vietnamese texture in a culturally diverse setting.

To remain consistent with the design objective, BOHO Décor creates the classroom design with in-built flexibility, accommodating new teaching methods and technologies. This eliminates the necessity for continual upgrades and remodeling. Versatile furniture, such as whiteboard storage cum cabinets and the filing cabinet combined with seating, integrates functionality and aesthetics.

A balance of repeated visual themes, colored signages with non-traditional floor, and portable furniture designed in the library all serve the belief that SSIS breaks free from the norms of educational spaces. Specifically, the ceiling is strategically open, utilizing circle acoustic ceiling panels inspired by Vietnam’s bronze drums, nurturing a sense of openness, and fostering creativity. Additionally, library windows flank the green balconies, providing decent natural light for learners to self-study, rendering itself student-friendly with the interconnectedness of indoor and outdoor environments. Moreover, the library features a wide range of seating options, effortlessly catering to every student’s evolving needs.

Spaces like the art gallery and Dragon’s Den serve as sanctuaries for creativity and community. With a predominantly white color scheme, enriched by hues reminiscent of Vietnam’s vibrant landscapes, they evoke a sense of cultural fusion. Meanwhile, Dragon’s Den, as its name suggests, embodying the spirit of unity and camaraderie found in Vietnamese culture, offers a welcoming environment for socializing and informal discussions, fostering connections among learners.

BOHO Décor’s refurbishment aims to create a timeless design that fuses functionality, sustainability, and cultural richness, enhancing SSIS’s educational experience and honoring its core values.